The Boy Scouts of America, one of the nation’s largest private youth organizations, is actively considering an end to its decades-long policy of banning gay scouts or scout leaders. If adopted by the organization’s board of directors, it would represent a profound change on an issue that has been highly controversial -- one that even went to the US Supreme Court. The new policy, now under discussion, would eliminate the ban from the national organization’s rules, leaving the local organizations including the Laurel Highlands Council, Moraine Trails Council and Westmoreland-Fayette Council, free to decide for themselves whether they are going to continue such a discriminatory and hateful practice of denying our gay youth the chance to join their organization. By signing this petition, we are asking the Laurel Highlands, Moraine Trails and Westmoreland-Fayette Councils to stop discriminating against gay youth and adopt a policy that is welcome to anyone who wishes to become a scout or a scout leader.

Letter to

Field Director - Area 6Michael Morrell

Unit Service Executive - Area 2Aaron Johnson

Program Executive - Area 2Brandi Butler

and 37 others

Membership Executive - Area 2Brook Parker

Field Director - Area 2Tracey Burkey

Unit Service Executive - Area 1Alahna Bell

Program Executive - Area 1Dan Lindh

Membership Executive - Area 1Zach Castelnock

Field Director - Area 1Jacob Kraus

Field Director - Area 3James Douglas

Membership Director - Area 3Marilyn Brown

Customer Service ManagerMollieann Gray

Scout ExecutiveMichael Surbaugh

Area 4 - Unit Service ExecutiveRyan Geraghty

Area 4 - Program ExecutiveHeath Manbeck

Area 4 - Membership DirectorMark Tallarico

Area 4 - Field DirectorJoe Milharcic

Unit Service Executive - Area 3Clay Shumway

Program Executive - Area 3Jeanne Smith

Exploring ExecutiveJim Wandling

Field Staff SecretaryJason Flowers

Assistant Council ControllerJoanne Fink

Council ControllerMargaret Schweinsberg

Administrative AssistantCarol Serechin

Administrative Assistant - Area 6Sharon Jackson

Customer Service Representative - Area 6Judy Hewitt

Development Director - Area 6Michele Brenneman

Membership Director - Area 6Jason Young

Program Director - Area 6Daniel Stover

Carolyn Guzik

Receptionist/Customer Service Rep.Carol King

Field Staff SecretaryJanet DiPaolo

Director of Field ServiceCharles Flowers

Administrative AssistantJoanne Agich@scouting.org

Development DirectorMelissa Miller

Development DirectorMark McHaddon

Development DirectorMatt Mallin

Flag Plaza Services AssistantJoel Zwibel

RegistrarApril Cieply

Director of DevelopmentAmy Franz

I signed this petition because I believe that it is wrong to discriminate. Your organization should be welcoming to everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. At a time when gay bullying and suicide is at an all-time high, the Laurel Highlands Council, Moraine Trails Council, and Westmoreland-Fayette Council needs to be on the right side of history and STOP discriminating against gay youth and adopt a policy that is welcoming to anyone who wishes to become a scout or a scout leader.

The Girl Scouts have long adopted a policy of dignity, respect and inclusion. I ask that the Laurel Highlands Council, the Moraine Trails Council, and the Westmoreland-Fayette Council of the Boy Scouts do the same.